Macmillan
Support Line

We know cancer changes everything. But you don’t need to face it alone. Many people find it hard to talk to their loved ones about cancer, or to talk about it at all. But a chat with one of our experts can help you find the words you need. Sometimes, talking to someone outside your family and group of friends can really help.

When you have a hospital appointment or visit your GP, you may not take in everything they tell you, or know which questions to ask. Our nurse specialists are here to answer your questions when you get home.

We speak your language

We have an interpretation service in over 200 languages. Just state, in English, the language you wish to use when you call us.

Are you deaf or hard of hearing?

If you are a textphone user, you can call the Macmillan Support Line using the Next Generation Text Service (NGT) by dialling 18001 0808 808 00 00.

If you have a computer, tablet or smartphone you can download the NGT Lite app for free. The NGT app works by connecting you to a relay assistant who reads to the other person the words you've typed, and types to you their reply.

We also have financial guides who can help you identify the options you have with your insurance, pensions and mortgage, and help you understand how to make future financial decisions. Our free and confidential online financial support tool is here too, to help guide your everyday finances.

Sean, Macmillan Cancer Support welfare rights service manager

Dealing with your emotions

A cancer experience can trigger a range of emotions such as shock, anger and for some people, depression. Our support line experts can help you manage these feelings. You can also read more about dealing with your emotions.

Patsy shares with us her cancer journey.

Prefer to write it down?

Complete this form if you are not comfortable speaking to our experts on the phone and would rather have your questions answered in writing. One of our cancer support specialists will attempt to reply within two working days.

Help fund our support line

The Macmillan Support Line is funded through the generous donations of our supporters. In 2013, we received nearly 167,000 calls. If you'd like to help us continue to provide this vital service - you can. Find out more.

Confidentiality

Macmillan treats your contact with us as confidential unless there is a risk of serious harm or abuse to you or someone else, in which case, we may have to pass this information onto a third party such as the emergency services.

Related

Related

Do you have a question for our cancer support specialists? If you want to, you can complete our online form to give us the information we need to answer you. We’ll attempt to reply within two working days.

Featured group

Whether it is you or someone close to you who has been diagnosed with cancer, you’re likely to experience many emotions. Sharing your feelings can help you and others in your situation. Talk about it here.

Thanks

We rely on a number of sources to gather evidence for our information. If you’d like further information on the sources we use, please feel free to contact us on: bookletfeedback@macmillan.org.uk

All our information is reviewed by cancer or other relevant professionals to ensure that it’s accurate and reflects the best evidence available. We thank all those people who have provided expert review for the information on this page.

Our information is also reviewed by people affected by cancer to ensure it is as relevant and accessible as possible. Thank you to all those people who reviewed what you're reading and have helped our information to develop.

You could help us too when you join our Cancer Voices Network – find out more at: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancervoices

We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up-to-date but it should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialist professional advice tailored to your situation. So far as is permitted by law, Macmillan does not accept liability in relation to the use of any information contained in this publication or third party information or websites included or referred to in it.